Most revealing, however, were the views of law-school dean Elena Kagan, a popular, accomplished, and highly respected academic and Summers appointee who served with him in the Clinton administration. “I think it’s appropriate for everyone to realize that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences isn’t the only school at the University,” Kagan stated. “I think Larry’s been excellent for the law school.”

Equally noteworthy: Kagan’s name, according to the Record, has popped up on some lists as a realistic possibility to get the presidential nod. The big news here is that, apparently, being a toady of the Arts and Sciences faction that drove Summers out may not, in fact, be a job requirement for the next president. The dean of the law school, who happens to be a woman in addition to having a powerful intellect and demonstrated administrative skills, chose to speak frankly — even a bit acerbically — about the ugly coup against the man she might replace. Such a person may well be seen by the Harvard Corporation as precisely the sort who can deal with the recalcitrant, self-serving tenured brats who stared them down. Kagan, by her refreshing candor, may in fact have leaped to the top of the heap.

Political cartoons Amid the reams of editorials and articles covering the Mohammed-cartoon controversy, the uniquely important role of independent college publications has been all but lost.

Revisiting the greatest Harvard-Yale game It takes some doing to make Harvard look like an underdog in anything. But Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29 — Kevin Rafferty's 2008 movie (out now on DVD) and new book (released this past month) about the famous football rivalry — does just that.

More police, less Harvard The Harvard Crimson reported this week the arrest of two non-student demonstrators at a student-organized protest in front of Holyoke Center.